West End

Boston’s West End neighborhood, nestled between Beacon Hill, North End, and the Charles River, once the city’s most densely populated area, underwent significant transformation from a 19th-century “slum” to an urban renewal replaced by modern residential buildings, riverside parks, industrial architecture, high-rise offices and medical institutions.

 

Today, the West End has been revitalized but retains echoes of its past. It is home to major institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), one of the top hospitals in the country, and the Charles River Plaza, a commercial area that includes shops, restaurants, and services. The Museum of Science, located along the Charles River, is a major tourist destination featuring interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and an IMAX theater. The TD Garden and Sports Museum of New England are popular venues with sports and music fans. The nearby Charles River Esplanade is a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike, offering walking and biking trails, sailing, and outdoor concerts during the summer.

 

The nearby Charles River Esplanade is a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike, offering walking and biking trails, sailing, and outdoor concerts during the summer.

 

While the West End isn’t as well known for its dining scene as some neighboring areas, it does have several popular restaurants. Alcove, located along the waterfront near Lovejoy Wharf, serves New American cuisine with a focus on fresh, local ingredients and offers beautiful river views. A&B Burgers, in the Hub on Causeway near North Station, is a go-to for gourmet burgers and craft beers. Nearby, J. Pace & Son, a long-standing Italian deli and market, pays homage to the neighborhood’s immigrant roots. Just steps away in the North End and Beacon Hill, visitors will find countless additional dining options ranging from upscale Italian to classic New England seafood.

 

Today, the majority of the residential community is centered around Charles River Park, encompassing 42 acres of rental and condominium towers like Whittier Place & Hawthorne Place.  The unrivalled location by the Charlesbank Playground allows for quick and easy access to a host of amenities, shopping areas, and markets via a scenic walk, T-ride from North Station, and scenic bike or jogging trails against the backdrop of the iconic Charles River Esplanade.